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24 May 2004 @ 12:18, by Craig Lang
In the last article about the MN state Democratic convention, I described the electricity that I felt, the sense of sweeping change. There was the sense that the old ways no longer work, and that it's time to replace them with the new.
One of the most important things that I noticed was just exactly where in the party this energy was - it was with the Kucinich campaign. It is indeed time to change. At all levels. Truly the old ways no longer work. But just exactly who's old ways are we talking about?
A bit of background. As part of the local caucus system, you are supposed to commit to a presidential candidate. At the time, I felt that Kerry was the best fit. And so I joined the Kerry caucus, and was elected a delegate. What I saw when I got to the convention was the political machine - the old ways. So I opened my eyes, and I saw the new as well. The New was down the hall - and so I went there as well.
This meant changing my vote - from Kerry to Kucinich. Now, an elected delegate changing their vote is highly frowned upon - and from the point of view of the political machine, probably for very good reason. Yet I decided that what is more important than the party machine is to do what is right. I decided that it was time to focus on the future as opposed to the past. So I became a convert to the new - the progressives - both within the party, and outside of the party as well. The time for change is here.
When I got back to my seat after the Sunday subcaucuses, I definitely heard about "what I had done". The machine does not take lightly to challenges. The old resists change. And I was abruptly taken aside by several of the "commisars" of our delegation who told me in no uncertain terms how I had broken the rules. Simply put, they were realy pissed.
And I loved it. Sometimes the rules need to be broken. And it was time to begin with these.
What I saw in the Kucinich caucus was the future. What I was confronted with when I got back to my seat was the past - the rusty old ways that had been the democratic party for the last fifty years. What this confrontation dramatized to me was that it's time for the old ways - and perhaps the leaders that represent them - to go, and for the new to replace them.
In short, where better to begin reform than the reformers.
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Category: Opinions
3 comments
24 May 2004 @ 13:19 by craiglang : A word of encouragement
I just got an e-mail from a local political figure who was very supportive. He had made the comment to me at the time that he also sensed where the energy was, though I got the sense that he was deeply bound within the existing system. He is great at working from within.
His comment was "its a free country, so don't worry about it". I guess there are some pretty good eggs in the basket as well... :-)
24 May 2004 @ 13:32 by vibrani : It takes one person
at a time to make a change, Craig, and I understand your frustration and why you changed your vote to Kucinich. Bravo for being bold and doing that in the face of old tradition.
I went through similar throught processes about this election and when I thought I'd be for Kerry, even though I wasn't that crazy about him, I suddenly said No! I don't want Kerry. I want someone with more vision for the future, more compassion, more awareness. While I don't agree with some things in Kucinich's policies, I prefer him than Kerry and Bush.
24 May 2004 @ 13:42 by craiglang : Yes,
It looks like Kerry will be the nominee, and IMHO he needs to win - and we all need him to win.
But what Kucinich brings to the table is the truth about alot of things. With a significant progressive influence block, much of Kucinich's agenda can be accomplished in a Kerry administration. I think that's what the progressive wing is hoping for at the moment.
Plus, a lot of the progressive wing is looking to the off-year elections, and to 2008.
Other entries in Opinions
21 Sep 2004 @ 17:43: The big and the small
20 Jul 2004 @ 21:30: A Dark Moment for Bumper Sticker Democracy
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